The integration of electric scooters in Hungary
Abstract
The academic literature extensively explores global sustainability strategies in mobility, emphasizing the necessity of emission reduction while acknowledging that technology alone is insufficient to address these challenges. Electric micro-mobility devices are increasingly positioned as a greener alternative to urban transportation. This study examines whether Hungarian electric scooter users’ place of residence influences the frequency of e-scooter usage, the type of transportation mode it replaces, and the factors they consider crucial for its integration. Based on 292 completed responses, our findings indicate no significant correlation between settlement type and either the frequency of e-scooter use or the perceived importance of various integration-supporting factors. However, Chi-square test results reveal a significant association between residence location and the transportation mode displaced by e-scooter use. The novelty of this research lies in its pioneering effort to map the usage patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of domestic e-scooter users. Our analysis underscores that the successful integration of electric micro-mobility devices requires more than merely accounting for the specific characteristics of different urban forms; it also necessitates active community engagement – an aspect currently absent from Hungary’s regulatory framework.
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